Is it in yet?
Minnesota Wayfarer Nick Rasmussen shares a neat trick that takes the frustration out of trying to find the centreboard bolt hole as you try to re-insert the board after forgetting to mark where it is supposed to go.
(see http://www.wayfarer-international.org/WIT/maint.repair.ref/CB.rudder/CB.removal.html)


From: Nicholas Rasmussen [mailto:nickarasmussen@gmail.com]
Sent: Tuesday, June 9, 2020 10:17 AM
To: James Heffernan
Subject: Reattachment of Centerboard

 

Jim,

When I removed my centerboard I didn't record a reference line for re-installation. To make up for that when I reinstalled, I began by making a large needle out of a wire coat-hanger. I made it by cutting a straight section of coat-hanger and folding about 3/4 inch of the coat-hanger back on itself. I kept this fold narrow so I could insert it into the hole where the centerboard bolt goes. I then took a roll of waxed twine and using my large needle threaded the waxed twine through the pivot hole. I then used the large needle to retrieve the waxed twine up through the top of the centerboard trunk, ran it through the pivot hole on the centerboard and then back down into the centerboard trunk where I retrieved the waxed twine through the other side.


At this point what I had was a piece of waxed twine threaded through one side of the centerboard trunk, through the centerboard pivot hole, and out the other side of the centerboard trunk. I then tied off one end of the waxed twine and put the centerboard into its trunk. 

I now grasped the waxed twine and moved it from side to side as though flossing a giant tooth.  I could feel as I moved it back and forth in what direction I needed to move the centerboard to bring the pivot hole closer to its corresponding location in the centerboard trunk.  Once I had the waxed twine in position it took less than 5 minutes to align the hole in the centerboard trunk with the corresponding hole in the centerboard. (Al's note: I use a screwdriver of appropriate size to try to locate the bolt hole in the centreboard, and having found the hole, I swing the screwdriver around in a couple of circles to make sure the board hole is as lined up as possible with the holes in the CB box. To play it safe, I use the bolt to push the screwdriver back out. This lets me easily make fine adjustments as neded and guards against the possibility of "losing" the CB hold altogether and having to start all over.)

It is important when making the large needle out of a coat hanger that it be long enough to be able to retrieve the waxed twine from within the centerboard trunk.  I hope someone else finds this method useful.

 

Nick Rasmussen